VGEA to Request Telework Extension & Asks for Feedback

May 25, 2022 – Richmond, VA

Telework Update: The VGEA Will Request a Telework Implementation Extension and Asks VGEA Members to Share Their Experiences and Hardships

The VGEA Executive Committee met on May 25, 2022, to collaborate on a plan to address the continued impacts and hardships caused by the Youngkin administration’s new telework policy on state employees.

As you know, a part of the VGEA’s ongoing legislative agenda includes advocacy for flexible work options. Those options include the expansion of remote and telework opportunities to help alleviate the state’s longstanding recruitment and retention challenges. To that end, the VGEA decided on the following courses of action today:

VGEA to Request a Telework Extension

The committee shared continued concerns received from various agencies and agreed that Virginia state employees would be best served if the mandate to return to work was moved from Tuesday, July 5, to Monday, September 12. This extension would give employees the extra time they need to make arrangements to return to work including securing childcare as needed. Accordingly, the VGEA is working to arrange a meeting with the Youngkin administration as soon as possible to ask for an extension.

Urgent: Share Your Telework Policy Experience/Hardships

The VGEA has received many calls and emails with concerns and frustrations about the new telework policy, and we’d like to hear about your specific experiences related to the new policy. We want to be able to share as many concerns as possible with the administration so that we can continue to ensure that they are aware of and working to resolve the specific and wide-ranging concerns and challenges of our state employees. Note: We are glad to keep your submission anonymous if you’d prefer.

Please share your experiences as soon as possible at vgea.org/telework where you’ll be asked the following:

• What concerns or hardships have you/are you continuing to experience due to the new telework policy?
• How has your agency handled your telework request? Were you satisfied with how it was handled?
• Do you have additional comments, thoughts, concerns, or ideas?

Share Your Telework Experience

As always, we’re listening and advocating for you. Reach out to the VGEA team at info@vgea.org with questions, comments, or concerns.